NFL commits to Mexico game until 2021

American football's NFL has struck a new agreement with Mexico's ministry of tourism to stage three regular-season games in the country between 2019 and 2021.

The deal was announced yesterday, ahead of the New England Patriots' 33-8 win over Oakland Raiders in Mexico City, the second game of the current three-game agreement that expires in 2018.

The NFL and the ministry of tourism said the contract was extended following "positive results in tourism and the presence of Mexico's brand through the NFL's previous games in Mexico."

According to the NFL, its matches are viewed by the ministry as "high impact sporting events for the promotion of Mexico's tourism both nationally and internationally."

Last year's game in Mexico City between the Raiders and Houston Texans, the first Monday Night Football game played outside of USA, had an economic impact of $43 million on the host city.

A study commissioned by the NFL found the game attracted 9,500 international visitors who, on average, spent more than five days in Mexico, while an additional 21,500 visitors from elsewhere in Mexico descended on the capital for the game.